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GITTELSON BITS column w/DN Top 10 HS football rankings

The high school football season begins Thursday for several area programs, and in the meantime, most teams have been trudging through some heavy-duty conditioning, better know as two-a-days.

Actually, through the years the sessions are best known as hell week, but perhaps that’s not such a politically correct term.

Then again, even Dayne Crist, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks’ studious, mild-mannered quarterback, went so far as to use the word “heck.”

As in “it’s been tough as heck,” which is the way Crist has described this past practice week.

Notre Dame’s second daily practices have been lasting until 9 p.m., and nothing feels better than falling into bed afterward.

Right?

“Oh, it feels amazing,” Crist said. “It’s pretty tough going through it, but this is a totally necessary time for the team.”

At any rate, unless something crazy happens – like Darrell Scott transferring back to Moorpark – here’s what the Daily News preseason top 10 looks like (last year’s record in parentheses):

1. Notre Dame (11-1)

2. Hart (8-5)

3. Birmingham (11-3)

4. Oaks Christian (15-0)

5. Crespi (6-5)

6. Canyon (12-2)

7. Westlake (12-1)

8. Palmdale (9-2)

9. Chaminade (9-4)

10. Rio Mesa (10-2)

— It’s going to be a good football year for sophomore wide receivers, notably Dietrich Riley of St. Francis of La Canada and Blake Stanton of Crespi of Encino, both of whom figure to make a major impact.

Reseda’s football fortunes will revolve around running back Gio Dixon, who rushed for 1,263 yards and nine touchdowns last season – “he’s going to be our horse,” coach Alonso Arreola said – but watch out for Edgar Perez.

Perez is switching from receiver to quarterback – out of necessity because there isn’t another academically eligible quarterback available – and his development will be crucial if the Regents want to keep pace in the Valley Mission League.

Other key players include offensive lineman Jorge Deleon and John Pally and defensive lineman John Boyd.

— Daylon McCutcheon, who played cornerback at USC before a nine-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, has joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Bishop Amat of La Puente, which competes in the Serra League with Crespi, Notre Dame and Loyola of Los Angeles.

— Delaney Willard, a senior softball standout at Camarillo, has committed to BYU following an unofficial visit.

“I just fell in love with the place. It’s beautiful,” Willard said.

As a junior, Willard, a shortstop who is the daughter of Camarillo head coach Jack Willard, batted .505 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs and a .901slugging percentage.

In other softball recruiting news, Burroughs of Burbank’s Kerry Hodgins has committed to New Mexico, where she’ll follow her sister, Ryanne, who graduated last semester.

— Baseball coach Matt Whisenant of Montclair Prep of Panorama City has resigned under pressure – after a group of parents complained about him.

“It was a mutual agreement,” athletic director Ken Smith said.

Rick Weber is the new coach. He formerly led Birmingham of LakeBalboa and Bel-Air Prep of LosAngeles.

— And finally, former Grant of Van Nuys basketball star Gino Riney, in the midst of a comeback after serving three years in prison on a robbery conviction, has transferred from College of the Canyons to L.A. Valley College.

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